POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)

Do you think that “POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)” does not apply to you? Read on!

What is post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD?

PTSD is an anxiety disorder that some people get after seeing or living through a deeply frightening or dangerous event.

When in extraordinary stress or fear, it’s natural to feel many split-second changes in the body to prepare to defend against the danger or to avoid it. This “fight-or-flight” response is a healthy reaction meant to protect a person from harm. But in PTSD, this reaction is changed or damaged. People who have PTSD may feel stressed or frightened even when they’re no longer in danger.

Who gets PTSD?

Anyone. At any age. From war veterans and survivors of physical and sexual assault to victims of family dysfunction, bullying, extraordinary loss, or any other significant event that resulted in a real or perceived loss of personal security, surety, or safety.

Re-experiencing symptoms may cause problems in a person’s everyday routine. They can start with the person’s own thoughts and feelings. Words, objects, or situations that are reminders of the event can also trigger re-experiencing.

DSM-5 Criteria for PTSD

The diagnostic criteria are specified below. (Annotated for clarity)

Criterion A: stressor

The person was exposed to death, threatened death, actual or threatened serious injury, or actual or threatened sexual violence, as follows: (one required)

Direct exposure.

Witnessing, in person.

Indirectly, by learning that a close relative or close friend was exposed to trauma. If the event involved actual or threatened death, it must have been violent or accidental.

Repeated or extreme indirect exposure to aversive details of the event(s), usually in the course of professional duties (e.g., first responders, collecting body parts; professionals repeatedly exposed to details of child abuse). This does not include indirect non-professional exposure through electronic media, television, movies, or pictures.

Criterion B: intrusion symptoms

The traumatic event is persistently re-experienced in the following way(s): (one required)

Recurrent, involuntary, and intrusive memories.

Traumatic nightmares.

Dissociative reactions (e.g., flashbacks) which may occur on a continuum from brief episodes to complete loss of consciousness.

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